The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Thousands of aspirants appear for the CAT exam every year to secure admission to prestigious B-schools across India. Understanding the CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 is crucial before you register for the exam.

In this blog, we will break down the eligibility requirements including educational qualification, age limit, reservation policy, and frequently asked questions.

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Key Highlights

Criteria	Requirement
Educational Qualification	Bachelor's Degree (any stream)
Minimum Marks (General/EWS/OBC)	50% or equivalent CGPA
Minimum Marks (SC/ST/PwD)	45% or equivalent CGPA
Final Year Students	Eligible to apply
Age Limit	No age limit
Number of Attempts	No restriction

Academic Qualifications Required for CAT 2025

You must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
Candidates belonging to General, EWS, and OBC-NCL categories must have obtained a minimum of 50% marks (or equivalent CGPA).
SC, ST, and PwD category candidates must have secured at least 45% marks.

Eligible degrees:

Bachelor’s degree recognized by UGC/AICTE.
Equivalent qualifications such as CA/CS/ICWA or an integrated Master’s degree.

CAT 2025 Eligibility for Final Year Students

Final year undergraduate students can apply for CAT 2025. If selected for admission, they must submit:

A certificate from the Principal/Registrar of their college stating they have completed all requirements for their degree by the date specified by the IIM.
The final year marksheet before the stipulated deadline.

CAT Exam 2025 Age Limit and Attempts

There is no age limit to appear for the CAT exam.
There is no cap on the number of attempts.

CAT 2025 Reservation Criteria

As per the Government of India regulations, the following reservation policies apply:

Category	Reservation Percentage
Scheduled Caste (SC)	15%
Scheduled Tribe (ST)	7.5%
Other Backward Class (OBC – NCL)	27%
Economically Weaker Section (EWS)	10%
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD)	5%

Documents required:

Valid caste certificate in the Government of India format
PwD candidates must meet the benchmark as defined in RPwD Act, 2016
EWS certificate issued as per guidelines by the Department of Personnel and Training

Important Notes

Work Experience: Work experience is not mandatory to apply for CAT. However, some B-schools consider work experience during final selection.
Backlogs: Candidates with backlogs can also apply, but they must clear them before the final admission process.
Foreign Nationals: Must have a bachelor’s degree equivalent and should apply through GMAT in some IIMs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I apply for CAT 2025 while in the final year of graduation?

Yes. Final-year students can apply, but admission is subject to completing your degree before the specified deadline.

Q2. Is there any age limit for appearing in the CAT exam?

No. There is no age restriction to apply for CAT.

Q3. I have a backlog in my graduation. Am I eligible?

Yes, but you must clear the backlog before joining any IIM or B-school.

Q4. Can I apply if I have a professional qualification like CA/CS/ICWA?

Yes. These are considered valid qualifications as per CAT eligibility norms.

Q5. What is the minimum percentage required for SC/ST/PwD candidates?

45% in graduation or equivalent CGPA.

Q6. Is there any reservation for EWS candidates in CAT?

Yes. EWS candidates have a 10% reservation. A valid EWS certificate is required.

Q7. How many times can I appear for CAT?

There is no limit to the number of attempts.

Q8. Do I need to have work experience to apply for CAT?

No, it's not mandatory, but it may help during selection in certain IIMs.

Q9. Can foreign nationals apply for CAT 2025?

Yes, through GMAT scores, depending on individual IIM requirements.

Q10. Are diploma holders eligible for CAT?

No. A full-time bachelor's degree (minimum 3 years) is required.

Ready to Apply for CAT 2025?

Stay tuned for the official CAT 2025 notification, expected in July 2025. Prepare strategically with mock tests, coaching support, and consistent practice.

Expected CAT Exam Date: November 30, 2025

Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)

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